A GPS is a driver’s best ally as they allow drivers to accurately plot their current position and provide driving route instructions to arrive at a specified destination. In recent years, GPS manufactures have been adding new and interesting innovations that you’ll discover in this article.
As they are so useful and now very affordable, more and more people are deciding to buy a GPS for their cars. However choosing the right GPS for your needs is not always an easy task as it often requires significant knowledge of the technical characteristics of these devices. To make it all a lot easier for you, we have prepared this complete shopping guide with information, frequently asked questions and the top products on the market.
Key Facts
- The GPS system is based on a series of land-based control stations and a network of at least 24 satellites orbiting the Earth, so that at any one time, at least six satellites are accessible by the GPS receivers.
- In order to choose the GPS that is best for you, the first aspect you should consider is the intended use for the device. You will require a different device to move around your city in a car as you would need to make state-wide trips by truck or to use on a motorcycle.
- You may know GNSS, the United Kingdom Global Navigation Satellite System. It was renamed to UK Space Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Programme after Brexit.
Our selection: The best GPS
Here is a list that we have prepared the best personal GPS systems currently available on the market. We have made this list by choosing a wide variety of items with the key principle of only including products that offer very good value for money.
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about a GPS
When buying a GPS, it is essential that you consider a number of important aspects to make the right purchase. There are different GPS models that include many different functionalities and applications. To explain this further, the following section covers general information about GPSs and the most commonly asked questions by GPS consumers.
What is a GPS exactly?
The GPS positioning system works thanks to a series of land-based control stations and a network of at least 24 satellites in orbit around the Earth. For a GPS to work accurately, the device must be able to receive a signal from at least six satellites. The small GPS devices that are in many cars today are nothing more than a GPS receiver that replays the information they receive from the satellites.
What are GPSs for?
A GPS can also warn you about the presence of speed cameras, speed limit changes or specific advice such as the warning of an approaching school zone. Some advanced agricultural GPSs allow users to monitor the land of cultivation to help farmers reduce the costs of fumigation and harvesting.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a GPS?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| They let you know your position with a high level of accuracy | Sometimes, they can distract you from the road and increase the risk of an accident |
| Some GPSs do not need to be connected to the Internet to determine your position. This way, you can use them in places where 3G or 4G internet coverage does not reach | Updating maps can be an extra expense |
| They provide detailed information on the route and points of interest | |
| They make it possible to estimate the approximate time of arrival | |
| They offer information and warnings of fixed speed cameras | |
| They help you drive more comfortably and safely, as you don’t need to rely on your mobile phones’ navigation system |
Is a GPS worth buying?
Who should buy a GPS?
Additionally, a GPS is particularly useful if you travel in areas where the Internet coverage is poor or there is absolutely no Internet. A GPS system is also highly recommended in the agricultural industry for farmers to track the movements of their tractors or harvesters to improve efficiency and reduces costs.
What types of GPS devices are there?
| Portable | Installed | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | They are light and easily transportable. They have a bracket to attach them to any vehicle | They are normally installed as standard in the dashboard of the car |
| Battery | You usually connect them to the car’s cigarette lighter to charge the battery on long trips | You don’t have to worry about charging the battery |
| Speed | Turn on speed varies between models. You may need to wait while the navigator system is loading | They work as soon as the car is started, so the waiting time is minimal |
| Use | They can be used in different vehicles | Can only be used in the car in which they are installed |
| Probability of theft | Given their small size, they can be easily stolen if you leave them inside the car | They cannot be stolen unless your entire vehicle is stolen |
What are the most important functions that a GPS usually includes?
Another functionality available in most GPSs is the signalling of fixed speed cameras by using your location and checking against a database of known speed camera locations. GPSs also indicate points of interest and may even advise which lane is more suitable for driving.
Shopping Criteria
If you are thinking about buying a GPS, it is important that you take into account a number of different factors before making your purchase. To help you in the selection process, we have selected the criteria that we believe are the most important. We have done this with the fundamental objective of creating a shopping guide so that you can find the GPS that best suits you.
Intended use
Logically, the intended use of a GPS is one of the first questions you should ask yourself. It is essential that you take into account the type of vehicle with which you are going to use it. GPSs are usually built for use in a car, but there are also specific devices for trucks or motorcycles.
GPSs for trucks usually informs drivers about the width of the road or the height of approaching tunnels or bridges. GPSs designed for motorcycles are usually built to withstand heavy rain and have more secure brackets for attachment.
Screen
When it comes to choosing a GPS, most people generally opt for one with as large a screen as possible. However keep in mind that a larger screen size usually means a higher price. In addition, the screen size isn’t the only nor the most important aspect to consider when comparing the different GPS screens.
When it comes to a GPSs screen, the resolution, the level of brightness and minimal reflection are just as important as the size of the screen. If it is not easy to see the GPS screen in sunny conditions, this can be annoying for the driver and pose an increased risk of an accident.
Updates
Some GPS models include free lifetime updates to the included maps meanwhile others require you to pay each time an update comes out. The former tends to require a higher initial economic investment, but in the long term, it may be more economical.
With this in mind, it is important to consider whether you will need new updates frequently or whether you plan on using the same regions and therefore do not need new versions. This will determine whether it is better to invest in a GPS with lifetime updates or simply pay for them as they are needed/released.
Maps included
Every GPS includes a certain level of pre-loaded maps with the device. That’s why it’s important that when choosing which device to buy, you’re clear about which package of maps you want the device to include from the start. The devices available to you will likely be different depending whether you want maps of your own state, the whole country or perhaps with the map of New Zealand. Depending on this requirement, the price will likely vary.
There are currently two main map providers for GPSs across the world: Navteq and Tele Atlas. In general, their functionalities are very similar but you may wish to analyse the points of interest they shows and the additional information that each provider includes.
Battery
Generally, the battery of a GPS will last for two to three hours. Fortunately, charging your battery in the car is usually quite simple. If you plan on using the GPS with another type of vehicle, such as a motorcycle, where charging is not so easy, this aspect takes on greater importance.
Extra accessories
Often the attachment system of the GPS is not given much thought, but a good fastening system can save a lot of headaches. It is also essential that the GPS has a charging system that works in your vehicle. The most common form of charging is via the cigarette lighter which is reliable and easy to use.
Another interesting “extra” is a Bluetooth connection. With Bluetooth, you can usually synchronise your mobile phone with the GPS to use your phone via the GPS screen. With this extra feature you can drive much safer and more comfortably. Some GPSs also have the ability to connect to the Internet via WiFi for easy map updates.
Summary
Having a GPS can be very helpful when you are on the move. Not only to plan routes or find locations on the map, but also to know the places of interest or to warn you about upcoming speeding cameras. It’s no wonder that GPSs are so popular.
To decide which GPS is best for you, the first thing you should think about is how you are going to use it. You should also consider a series of technical specifications such as the screen, the maps included, the battery life and the “extra” accessories available.
Finally, if you found this guide useful for your GPS selection process, you can leave us a comment or share it through your different social networks.
(Source of featured image: Moreno Soppelsa: 10480474/ 123rf.com)
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